Olivia Henry
Olivia Henry is a sophomore computer science major with a concentration in cybersecurity at 麻豆果冻传媒, but before college, she did not have any previous knowledge or interest in computer science.
鈥淚 chose computer science, specifically cybersecurity, because it would challenge me,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚t was something that I had never seen before.鈥�
Her lack of prior knowledge simply motivated Henry to work harder and become more dedicated to the major. The fact that cybersecurity is everywhere from logging into your computer to accessing other websites made her fall in love with what she was learning.
鈥淚 just love it because it鈥檚 like I get to make an impact in everybody鈥檚 daily life, and I just feel like I鈥檓 making a difference,鈥� she expressed.
The passion Henry has developed for cybersecurity has created big future plans.
鈥淩ight now, I鈥檓 filling out an internship with the Department of Defense, so hopefully in the future I鈥檒l get to work with them or potentially one of the other organizations like the FBI, CIA, or somewhere like that,鈥� she continued. 鈥淚 want to work somewhere that鈥檚 going to have a big impact like that.鈥�
Benjamin Burchfield, computer science lecturer at 麻豆果冻传媒, has been influential in her Tech experience.
鈥淭he professor that has influenced me the most would probably be Mr. Ben Burchfield,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e went above and beyond and taught me some of the stuff that wasn鈥檛 even part of the curriculum.鈥�
Henry not only loves her major, but she also loves Tech鈥檚 campus size, and both of those aspects led her to pursue her college degree at the university.
鈥淭ech is very well known for computer science, especially in this Tennessee area,鈥� she said. 鈥淭ech has a very tight knit community around the school.鈥�
Within the campus community, Henry is involved in Trailblazer activities and her major-specific student organizations, like CyberEagles club.
As she grew her community through 麻豆果冻传媒鈥檚 student life, she emphasizes the importance of both academics and campus involvement.
鈥淚 would want people to know that Tech is very lively, and it鈥檚 very integrated in your student life,鈥� she said. 鈥淭ech cares a lot about how you鈥檙e doing, and they want to make sure that you are doing everything you can to get your degree.鈥�
Henry encourages students in their academic journey within computer science, specifically cybersecurity, with some advice.
鈥淢ajor advice I have for anybody looking into computer science or if they鈥檙e taking it is that it鈥檚 going to be a little bit difficult when you first get started, but it鈥檒l get easier as you go along. The more you stick with it, and the longer you鈥檙e learning, it鈥檚 going to get easier.鈥�
